If you’re not the type satisfied with a generic wedding interior, you’re itching to find your hidden gem! In this blog post, you’ll discover Detroit and Ann Arbor wedding venues you might have never heard of before. From rad eco greenhouse elopement venues to opulent art museum weddings. You are in for a treat!
Most Alluring Detroit and Ann Arbor Wedding Venues
Spaces have a unique ability to set the tone for a wedding, there is a bit of magic to be found, when peoples’ personalities perfectly blend with the vibe of the architectural features of the venue. My favorite wedding and elopement spaces are quirky, inspiring, they evoke a certain feeling or bring out a lovely memory. But most importantly – they are a vibrant visual addition to your wedding shoot.
As a Michigan wedding and elopement photographer, I get to explore new venues in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Southeast Michigan each season, so I compiled an ultimate Michigan wedding venue guide with a list of the top 18 magical favs!
Detroit and Ann Arbor wedding venues with lots of greenery
Planterra Conservatory, West Bloomfield, MI
Planterra Conservatory is a glass-enclosed, botanical garden venue. With European curved trusses, indoor koi ponds and a dramatic stone archway, the Conservatory houses a wide collection of ush, exotic botanicals. Providing views of the stars on a clear night and soft, natural light during the day.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI
I recommend Matthaei Botanical Gardens for tiny weddings and intimate elopements to nature lovers, free spirits and outdoors enthusiast. The venue features several different lush spaces you can rent for your event. The gardens are a perfect serene setting for summer weddings and the tropical cactus conservatory is an amazing space to utilize in the winter for your quintessential Ann Arbor wedding or elopement.
Wellers Carriage House, Saline, MI
Located on the banks of a river, Wellers is one of my absolute favorite summer venues in Southeast Michigan. The rustic interior creates a perfect intimate setting for a mid-size wedding event or elopement. The beautiful garden features an “isle” rimmed with trees for a dreamy summer ceremony followed by an al fresco cocktail hour and dinner.
Stone Chalet, Ann Arbor, MI
Stone Chalet, situated downtown Ann Arbor, is a charming venue for an intimate wedding ceremony and reception. The venue can accommodate under 100 guests. The ballroom has a stage perfect for live music, as a part of your wedding entertainment.
Barn wedding venues in Southeast Michigan
Zingerman’s Cornman Farms, Dexter, MI
Zingerman’s Cornman Farms is a historic, multi-award winning event space, wedding venue and working farm in Dexter, Michigan. The 42 acre farm and its venues were restored from their 1834 foundations with the most discerning guests in mind. Featuring a beautiful exhibition kitchen, chef’s garden, a classic farmhouse, four-season barn and a stunning tent pavilion, guests can enjoy the beauty of the countryside just minutes from downtown Ann Arbor.
Frutig Farms: The Valley & Misty Farm, Ann Arbor, MI
The Valley and Misty Farm are Ann Arbor outdoor farm venues just six miles from downtown. The venues are located on sixteen acres featuring historic restored barns to host a wedding reception. The site overlooks a pond set against natural wetlands and rolling fields. Uniquely restored historic buildings sit among beautiful perennial gardens.
Cobblestone Farm, Ann Arbor, MI
The Cobblestone Farm house, completed in 1845, was originally a two-family home. Being restored and interpreted to reflect its mid-nineteenth century appearance, the site provides a view of past rural life in Washtenaw County. The barn at Cobblestone Farm offers a unique farm setting for wedding, just a few miles away from downtown Ann Arbor. Ideal for outdoor ceremonies, tented receptions and events held indoors at the barn.
Epic Detroit wedding venues with a waterfront
Detroit Yacht Club, Detroit, MI
The historic Detroit Yacht Club is the perfect venue for an opulent wedding. The venue offers a Grand Ballroom, and several intimate event rooms. The best part of the deal is that you can literally get to your wedding on a boat! How badass is that? The boardwalk also provides an epic sunset location for beautiful evening wedding portraits.
The War Memorial, Detroit, MI
The historic Alger estate and contemporary ballroom at the War Memorial offer panoramic lakefront views. The War Memorial recently underwent a construction project, which includes a redesigned, state-of-the-art venue for arts and culture, as well as a unique gathering place.
Historical industrial Detroit wedding venues
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum, Detroit, MI
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is a former factory located within the Milwaukee Junction area of Detroit. Built in 1904, it was the second center of automobile production for the Ford Motor Company, after the Ford Mack Avenue Plant. This place has a rich history and is one of the favorites for couples with love for the auto industry and Detroit. The venue is essentially a car museum that gets transformed into a wonderful wedding venue with dramatic views of the Detroit skyline at night.
Packard Proving Grounds, Shelby Township, MI
The Packard Proving Grounds industry complex was established in 1927 by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit. Interestingly enough, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The hangars are full of amazing photo opportunities for one-of-a-kind portraits. The light in the afternoon is glowing and diffused, simply beautiful. Definitely recommended if you are looking for a large and comfortable venue without the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Eastern, Detroit, MI
The site, formerly home to Hook and Ladder House No. 5 and the Detroit Fire Department Repair Shop, is inextricably associated with the development of Detroit’s professional fire department. Erected in 1888, Hook and Ladder House No. 5 is now the second oldest standing fire station in the city of Detroit. A unique, industrial space provides a blank canvas for an imaginative couple that is willing to be creative and fill the space with their personality. My favorite feature, the outdoor patio space, is perfect for a summer wedding night and dancing in Detroit.
Luxury hotel wedding venues in Detroit
Detroit Foundation Hotel, Detroit, MI
Detroit Foundation Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Detroit, Michigan. The hotel used to be a Detroit Fire Headquarters and is also home to a fine restaurant The Apparatus Room. A great mix of historic and vintage modern, the hotel event space and the restaurant are unique options for wedding.
Shinola Hotel, Detroit, MI
Hosting your wedding at the Shinola Hotel won’t be less than outstanding! Whether you already have a specific vision in mind, or need a bit of guidance along the way, Shinola’s event specialists will help guide you throughout the wedding process. Impeccable Detroit interior designs and a glass sunroom are a wonderful backdrop for a quintessential Detroit wedding.
Detroit and Ann Arbor wedding venues full of art
University of Michigan Museum of Art – UMMA, Ann Arbor, MI
UMMA hosts upwards of twenty weddings a year for the most discerning of clients. The elegant sophistication of the Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Apse makes it an ideal location for a luxury wedding and reception. Housed in the Alumni Memorial Hall part of the building, guests are greeted by marble floors, a soaring 40-foot skylight, and works of art from the museum’s permanent collection. The modern sophistication of the Forum or Commons makes a lovely space for intimate weddings and elopements. If you are a true art connoisseur, galleries may be open for your wedding for an incredible private viewing experience.
Detroit Institute of Arts – DIA, Detroit, MI
Home to some of the world’s finest artists, the Detroit Institute of Arts is Detroit’s most unique special wedding and elopement space in the heart of Midtown. From intimate spaces like Kresge Court with amazing murals by Diego Rivera, or the grandeur of Great Hall, the DIA is an absolutely luxurious gem for real art aficionados. The white marble building also serves as a classical wedding portrait backdrop.
Meadow Brook Hall, Detroit, MI
Meadow Brook Hall’s historic setting, distinct gardens and inspired cuisine has made the property an award-winning wedding venue. Meadow Brook hosts any style or size wedding event, from intimate indoor wedding ceremonies to grand tent receptions, enchanting strolling dinners and unique cocktail hours.
Detroit Library, Detroit, MI
Located downtown Detroit, this historic building was built in 1865. The historical feel inside and well gardens outside make it a great reception venue. Detroit Library is just across the street from the DIA, which is a perfect location for wedding portraits. The library is a beautifully unique venue to host an elegant downtown wedding.
NEED MORE INSPIRATION?
Goldner Walsh Garden & Home, Pontiac, Michigan
Blue Dress Barn, Benton Harbor, Michigan
Sundance Studios, Benton Harbor, Michigan
Greencrest Manor, Battle Creek, Michigan
Loft 310, Kalamazoo, Michigan
The Cheney Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Willowbrook Mill, Northport, Michighan
Hidden Vineyard Wedding Barn, Berrien Springs, Michigan
English Inn, Eaton Rapids, Michigan
If you two are looking to take a different direction and elope outdoors in an epic landscape, check out my website and related blog posts about elopements and adventure weddings in Michigan and all over the US. After all – this day is about you two have the absolute right to celebrate your nuptials in a way that is your own!
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